A 21-year-old man will face a supreme court murder trial over the death of Ballarat woman Hannah McGuire after electing to have his case fast-tracked.
Lachlan Young, wearing a maroon T-shirt, faced the Ballarat magistrates court on Thursday, where he formally pleaded not guilty to murdering his former partner.
Dozens of family and friends of McGuire filled the court room, all donning the same T-shirt with a photo of the 23-year-old’s face.
“She matters – remembering Hannah McGuire,” the T-shirts read.
McGuire’s body was found in a burnt-out car in Scarsdale, about 25km south of Ballarat, on 5 April.
Police will allege Young murdered McGuire in the Ballarat suburb of Sebastopol on that date, according to court documents.
Magistrate Michelle Mykytowycz informed the court Young had chosen to fast-track his case to the supreme court, meaning he will not face a committal hearing in the lower court.
“Mr Young has elected to stand trial,” she said.
“The effect of this is that his matter will now be fast-tracked to the supreme court.
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“It is important to remember that the election of the accused to stand trial is a different process to the accused being committed.”
Young’s lawyer, Crystal Caruana, said her client had been spoken to by instructing solicitors and counsel, and had “a strong understanding” of the implications of standing trial.
Mykytowycz asked Young how he pleaded to the single charge of murder.
“Not guilty,” Young responded.
He will face the supreme court for a directions hearing on 3 October.
Outside court, McGuire family friend Nicole Van Berkel said it her death was “a tragic loss”.
McGuire’s parents, who sat in the front row of the court on Thursday, declined to speak to media.
